Magazine adapter for projectile launcher

ABSTRACT

A magazine adapter for converting a hopper-fed paintball marker to a magazine-fed paintball marker. The magazine adapter includes an adapter body defining an opening that is dimensioned to receive at least a portion of a paintball magazine. An attachment assembly is provided that releasably couples the adapter body with a receiver of a paintball marker. The adapter includes a magazine latch configured to releasably couple the paintball magazine to the adapter body. The magazine adapter can be installed onto the paintball marker&#39;s receiver without any modification to the paintball marker&#39;s receiver.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/919,494, filed on Dec. 20, 2013, entitled “Magazine Adapter for Projectile Launcher,” which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety into the present application.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to non-lethal projectile launchers, such as paintball markers; in particular, this disclosure relates to an adapter for converting a hopper-fed launcher into a magazine-fed launcher.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

Devices that fire frangible projectiles are known in the art. For example, marking guns (commonly known as paintball guns or paintball markers) typically use compressed gas or combustible fuel to propel frangible projectiles. The frangible projectiles commonly have a gelatinous or plastic shell designed to break upon impact. Typically, the shells are filled with marking material, such as paint or an immobilizing material, such as a noxious chemical. In addition to frangible projectiles, other non-lethal projectiles, such as BBs, pellets, air-soft pellets/BBs, darts, etc., are commonly launched using compressed gas.

Many of these devices are equipped with a hopper for holding a plurality of projectiles to be propelled. Hoppers typically have a capacity to supply more than a hundred projectiles, which can be both a benefit and detraction. Since paintball games often simulate combat, paintball markers that resemble military equipment are desirable to increase the realism of the experience. For example, paintball markers have been modified to resemble assault rifles, sniper rifles, etc. Hoppers can detract from this realism—both in appearance and by holding so many more projectiles than a typical magazine used in military rifles. However, modification of markers to become more realistic can be difficult to install and remove.

According to one aspect, this disclosure provides a magazine adapter for converting a hopper-fed paintball marker to a magazine-fed paintball marker. The magazine adapter includes an adapter body defining an opening that is dimensioned to receive at least a portion of a paintball magazine. An attachment assembly is provided that releasably couples the adapter body with a receiver of a paintball marker. The adapter includes a magazine latch configured to releasably couple the paintball magazine to the adapter body. The magazine adapter can be installed onto the paintball marker's receiver without any modification to the paintball marker's receiver.

In some embodiments, the attachment assembly is structurally interchangeable to an attachment structure of a feed neck that attaches a hopper to the receiver. Embodiments are contemplated in which the attachment assembly includes a first extension spaced apart from a second extension. In some cases, a first pin extends from the first extension and a second pin extends from the second extension. For example, the first pin and the second pin could extend transversely from the first extension and the second extension, respectively. In some embodiments, the first pin and the second pin are approximately coaxial. Depending on the circumstances, at least a portion of the first extension and the second extension could be parallel with respect to each other. In some cases, the attachment assembly includes a latch configured to couple the adapter body with the paintball marker's receiver. A release button could be provided to actuate the magazine latch between a position projecting into the opening in the adapter body and a position in which magazine latch does not project into the opening. In some embodiments, a biasing member could be included that urges the magazine latch into the position projecting into the opening in the adapter body.

According to another aspect, this disclosure provides a magazine adapter for converting a hopper-fed projectile launcher to a magazine-fed projectile launcher. The adapter includes an adapter body defining an opening that is dimensioned to receive at least a portion of a magazine. An attachment assembly releasably couples the adapter body with a projectile launcher. The attachment assembly is structurally interchangeable to an attachment structure of a feed neck that attaches a hopper to the projectile launcher. A magazine latch is provided that releasably couples the magazine to the adapter body. The magazine adapter can be installed onto the projectile launcher without any modification to the launcher.

According to yet another aspect, this disclosure provides a method of converting a hopper-fed paintball marker to a magazine fed paintball marker. The method includes the step of providing a paintball marker that includes a receiver defining a breech area. The marker includes a feed neck attached to the receiver for feeding paintballs from a hopper into the breech area. The feed neck is detached from the paintball marker. Next, a magazine adapter is attached to the receiver of the paintball marker. The magazine adapter is configured to detachably receive a paintball magazine for supplying paintballs to be propelled to the breech area. The magazine adapter can be installed onto the paintball marker's receiver without any modification to the paintball marker's receiver. In some embodiments, a structure that attaches the magazine adapter to the receiver is structurally interchangeable with a structure that attaches the feed neck to the receiver.

Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the illustrated embodiment exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will be described hereafter with reference to the attached drawings which are given as non-limiting examples only, in which:

FIG. 1 is a right side perspective view of an example prior art paintball marker to which the adapter could be attached;

FIG. 2 is a right side perspective view of the prior art paintball marker shown in

FIG. 1 with the feed neck removed;

FIG. 3 is a right side perspective view of the paintball marker shown in FIG. 1 with an example embodiment of a magazine adapter attached;

FIG. 4 is a right side perspective view of the paintball marker shown in FIG. 1 with a magazine attached to the example magazine adapter;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the paintball marker with magazine adapter and magazine attached;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of an example adapter according to one embodiment;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the example adapter shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the example adapter shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a rear view of the example adapter shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a right side view of the example adapter shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a left side view of the example adapter shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 12 is a top view of the example adapter shown in FIG. 6; and

FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the example adapter shown in FIG. 6.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates embodiments of the disclosure, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This disclosure relates to an adapter for converting a projectile launcher, such as a paintball marker, into a magazine-fed launcher. Although the adapter will be discussed in conjunction with a typical paintball marker for purposes of example, it should be appreciated that the present invention could be used in conjunction with other compressed or combustible gas-powered launchers. Likewise, the adapter could be used in conjunction with other types of paintball markers with different styles of feed necks. This disclosure is not intended to be limited to the specific paintball marker shown as an example, but encompasses other types of connections for converting various styles of paintball markers to magazine-fed launchers.

FIG. 1 shows an example projectile launcher 10, such as a paintball marker, which could be used in conjunction with the adapter disclosed herein. As shown, the marker 10 includes a barrel 12 with a muzzle end 14 and a breech end 16. The breech end 16 of the barrel 12 may attach to a receiver 18, such as by screwing the breech end 16 into the receiver 18. The barrel 12 includes a bore 20 dimensioned to receive a projectile (not shown), such as a paintball, BB, pellet, etc. When the marker 10 is fired, the projectile passes through the bore 20 in the barrel 12 and exits through the muzzle end 14.

In the example shown, the marker 10 includes a grip 24 that is dimensioned for a user to gasp. In the example shown, the marker 10 includes an optional vertical grip 26 that a user may grasp with his/her other hand to steady the marker 10. As shown, the grip 24 and vertical grip 26 include optional surface ornamentation 25 to make both easier to grip. In the example shown, a tank adapter 27 extends from the grip 24. The tank adapter 27 may be connected to a canister of compressed gas, such as carbon dioxide or nitrogen, to supply compressed gas to the marker 10. In some cases, the receiver 18 could have internal passages that connect to a remote line for supplying compressed gas instead of using a tank adapter 27. A gas line 31 extends from the tank adapter 27 to an internal valve assembly 29 (FIG. 5) to supply compressed gas to the valve assembly 29 for selectively propelling projectiles out of the barrel 12.

As shown, the marker 10 has a trigger assembly with a trigger 28 for actuation by the user to fire the marker 10. In the example shown, the trigger 28 is surrounded by a trigger guard 30. The trigger assembly is configured to vent the valve assembly 29 when the trigger 28 is actuated to propel projectiles out of the barrel 12. The example shown includes an optional rear sight 32 that may aid in aligning the marker 10 with a target.

A feed neck 33 for supplying projectiles to the breech area 34 (FIG. 5) extends from the receiver 18. Typically, the feed neck 32 is configured to feed projectiles through an opening 36 (FIGS. 2 and 5) in the receiver 18 to supply projectiles to the breech area 34. Typically, the feed neck 33 connects with a hopper (not shown) for holding a plurality of projectiles to be fired. In this example marker, the feed neck 33 has an attachment assembly that includes a first extension 34 and second extension 36 each with transversely extending pins (not shown) that are received by openings in a first extension 38 and second extension 40, respectively, of the receiver 18. This arrangement provides a pivotal connection between the feed neck 33 and the receiver 18. The attachment assembly also includes a latch 42 that is received by a catch (not shown) in the receiver 18 to form an interference fit between the feed neck 33 and the receiver 18. The feed neck 33 can be removed by sufficient applying force in the direction of arrow 44 to disconnect the latch 42 from the catch in the receiver 18 and then moving the feed neck 33 in the direction of arrow 46, which moves the transversely extending pins out of the extensions 38, 40 of the receiver 18. FIG. 2 shows the marker 10 of FIG. 1 with the feed neck 33 removed, which reveals the opening 36 through which projectiles into the breech area 34. As discussed below, the adapter described herein replaces the feed neck 33 to convert the marker 10 to a magazine-fed launcher instead of using a hopper.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the example marker 10 with a magazine adapter 100 connected instead of the feed neck 33. In the embodiment shown, the attachment assembly of the magazine adapter 100 is compatible with the feed neck 33. Accordingly, the magazine adapter 10 can be installed onto the receiver 18 without any modification to the receiver 18. In this embodiment, the attachment assembly includes a first extension 102 with a transverse pin 104 (FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12 and 13), a second extension 106 with a transverse pin 108 (FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12 and 13) and a latch 110 that is connected to the adapter 100 with fasteners 113. The transverse pin 104 of the first extension 102 is received in an opening in the first extension 38 of the receiver 18. Likewise, the transverse pin 108 of the second extension 106 is received in an opening in the second extension 40 of the receiver 18. In this example, to couple to the receiver 18, the extensions 102, 104 in the attachment assembly are placed between the extensions 38, 40 in the receiver 18 and moved in a direction to insert the transverse pins 104, 108 into the openings in the extensions 38, 40 (opposite the direction of arrow 46 in FIG. 1). The magazine adapter 100 is then pivoted toward the receiver 18 until the latch 110 is received by the catch in the receiver 18. This creates an interference fit between the magazine adapter 100 and the receiver 18. However, one skilled in the art should appreciate that other attachment assemblies are possible, including but not limited to a frictional fit, bayonet connection, and/or adhesive, depending on the circumstances.

The magazine adapter 100 has a body 111 that defines an opening 112 dimensioned to receive a portion of a magazine 200. The magazine adapter 100 includes a magazine latch 114 (FIGS. 7, 12 and 13) that is movable between a position that projects into the opening 112 and a position in which the latch 114 is retracted into the body 111. In some embodiments, the latch 114 moves between these positions based on the user actuating a release button 116. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, for example, the release button 116 is pivotally mounted to the body 111 about a pin 120 and is urged toward the position in which the latch 114 projects into the opening 112 using a biasing member 118 (FIG. 7), such as a spring. As shown, the button 116 includes optional surface ornamentation, such as a knurled surface, for an easier grip.

The latch 114 is received by a groove 202 on an exterior surface of the magazine 200 to lock the magazine 200 into place when fully seated in the magazine adapter 100. Typically, the latch 114 has an inclined surface sloped away from the direction in which the magazine 200 is inserted into the magazine adapter 100 so that the latch 114 moves to the retracted position due to the force of the magazine being inserted overcoming the biasing member 118. When the latch 114 seats into the groove 202 due to the urging of the biasing member 118, this creates a click sound to provide positive feedback for the user to know that the magazine 200 is inserted the adapter 100. To remove the magazine from the adapter 100, the user would actuate (push in this example) the release button 116, which will retract the latch 114 from the groove 202 and allow the magazine to be removed from the adapter 100.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the adapter 100 connected with a magazine 200. The magazine 200 includes a spring-loaded follower 204 that urges projectiles (not shown) into the opening 36 to the breech area 34. The adapter 100 is configured to position the leading projectile (not shown) from the magazine with the opening 36. An example of a magazine 200 that could be used with the adapter 100 is described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,430,086 to Tippmann, Jr. et al. for a “Non-lethal Pistol.”

FIGS. 6-13 show various views of an example adapter 100 according to one embodiment. As discussed above, the adapter 100 connects to the receiver 18 using a pivotal connection with pins 104, 108 connected to opens in extensions 38, 40 and latch 110. When the adapter 100 is connected to the receiver 18, the opening 112 is aligned with the opening 36 so that projectiles in the magazine 200 are received in the breech area 34 of the marker 10. The user can push the magazine 200 into the opening 112, which overcomes the force of biasing member 118, until the latch 114 is seated in the groove 200 on the magazine 200. When the user wants to remove the magazine 200, the release button 116 is actuated (by pushing in this example). If the user would like to remove the adapter 100 from the marker 10, force should be applied in the direction of arrow 44 on FIG. 1 to disconnect the latch 110 from the catch in the receiver 18 and then move the adapter 100 in the direction of arrow 46 on FIG. 1, which moves the transversely extending pins 104, 108 out of the extensions 38, 40 of the receiver 18.

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, from the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of the present disclosure and various changes and modifications may be made to adapt the various uses and characteristics without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A magazine adapter for converting a hopper-fed paintball marker to a magazine-fed paintball marker, the magazine adapter comprising: an adapter body defining an opening that is dimensioned to receive at least a portion of a paintball magazine; an attachment assembly configured to releasably couple the adapter body with a receiver of a paintball marker; a magazine latch configured to releasably couple the paintball magazine to the adapter body; and wherein the magazine adapter can be installed onto the paintball marker's receiver without any modification to the paintball marker's receiver.
 2. The magazine adapter as recited in claim 1, wherein the attachment assembly is structurally interchangeable to an attachment structure of a feed neck that attaches a hopper to the receiver.
 3. The magazine adapter as recited in claim 1, wherein the attachment assembly includes a first extension spaced apart from a second extension, wherein a first pin extends from the first extension and a second pin extends from the second extension.
 4. The magazine adapter as recited in claim 3, wherein the first pin and the second pin extend transversely from the first extension and the second extension, respectively.
 5. The magazine adapter as recited in claim 4, wherein the first pin and the second pin are approximately coaxial.
 6. The magazine adapter as recited in claim 5, wherein at least a portion of the first extension and the second extension are parallel with respect to each other.
 7. The magazine adapter as recited in claim 6, wherein the attachment assembly includes a latch configured to couple the adapter body with the paintball marker's receiver.
 8. The magazine adapter as recited in claim 1, further comprising a release button configured to actuate the magazine latch between a position projecting into the opening in the adapter body and a position in which magazine latch does not project into the opening.
 9. The magazine adapter as recited in claim 8, further comprising a biasing member configured to urge the magazine latch into the position projecting into the opening in the adapter body.
 10. A magazine adapter for converting a hopper-fed projectile launcher to a magazine-fed projectile launcher, the magazine adapter comprising: an adapter body defining an opening that is dimensioned to receive at least a portion of a magazine; an attachment assembly configured to releasably couple the adapter body with a projectile launcher; a magazine latch configured to releasably couple the magazine to the adapter body; wherein the magazine adapter can be installed onto the projectile launcher without any modification to the launcher; and wherein the attachment assembly is structurally interchangeable to an attachment structure of a feed neck that attaches a hopper to the projectile launcher.
 11. The magazine adapter as recited in claim 10, wherein the attachment assembly includes a first extension spaced apart from a second extension, wherein a first pin extends from the first extension and a second pin extends from the second extension.
 12. The magazine adapter as recited in claim 11, wherein the first pin and the second pin extend transversely from the first extension and the second extension, respectively.
 13. The magazine adapter as recited in claim 12, wherein the first pin and the second pin are approximately coaxial.
 14. The magazine adapter as recited in claim 13, wherein at least a portion of the first extension and the second extension are parallel with respect to each other.
 15. The magazine adapter as recited in claim 14, wherein the attachment assembly includes a latch configured to couple the adapter body with the projectile launcher.
 16. The magazine adapter as recited in claim 10, further comprising a release button configured to actuate the magazine latch between a position projecting into the opening in the adapter body and a position in which magazine latch does not project into the opening.
 17. The magazine adapter as recited in claim 16, further comprising a biasing member configured to urge the magazine latch into the position projecting into the opening in the adapter body.
 18. A method of converting a hopper-fed paintball marker to a magazine fed paintball marker, the method comprising the steps of: providing a paintball marker including a receiver defining a breech area, wherein a feed neck is attached to the receiver for feeding paintballs from a hopper into the breech area; detaching the feed neck from the paintball marker; attaching a magazine adapter to the receiver of the paintball marker, wherein the magazine adapter is configured to detachably receive a paintball magazine for supplying paintballs to be propelled to the breech area; and wherein the magazine adapter can be installed onto the paintball marker's receiver without any modification to the paintball marker's receiver.
 19. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein a structure that attaches the magazine adapter to the receiver is structurally interchangeable with a structure that attaches the feed neck to the receiver.
 20. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the magazine adapter includes a release button configured to release a paintball magazine from the magazine adapter. 